Should the Mariners try to acquire Shohei?

Shohei Ohtani is a name that has been making headlines in the baseball world since he made his debut with the Los Angeles Angels in 2018. As a two-way player who can pitch and hit at an elite level, Ohtani is a rare talent who could potentially transform any team he plays for. The Seattle Mariners are one team that could benefit greatly from adding Ohtani to their roster, but the question remains: should they try to make a move for him? Well, according to MLB Insider, Jeff Passan the Mariners will be in on the sweepstakes.

On the one hand, there are certainly compelling reasons for the Mariners to pursue Ohtani. For one, his abilities as both a pitcher and a hitter would provide a significant boost to the team's overall performance. Ohtani is one of the most dominant pitchers in the league when he's healthy, and his ability to hit for power and average is equally impressive. Adding him to the lineup could help the Mariners compete with some of the top teams in the American League.

Additionally, acquiring Ohtani would be a major statement of intent for the Mariners. The team has been rebuilding in recent years, but they have shown signs of progress and could be on the cusp of contending. Bringing in a player of Ohtani's caliber would signal to the rest of the league that the Mariners are serious about competing and are willing to make bold moves to achieve success.

On the other hand, there are also reasons to be cautious about pursuing Ohtani. For one, is under contract with the Angels through the remainder of the season, so any attempt to acquire him would likely require a significant trade package. The Mariners have a promising young core of players, and giving up too much in a trade could set the team back in the long term.

Another factor to consider is Ohtani's injury history. He has already had Tommy John surgery once, and while he has been relatively healthy in recent years, there is always a risk that he could suffer another major injury that could sideline him for an extended period of time. Though honestly, he has gotten even better since the surgery unlike many before him.

Ultimately, whether the Mariners should try to get Shohei Ohtani is a complex question that depends on a number of factors. While he would undoubtedly be a game-changing addition to the team's roster, the cost of acquiring him and the potential risks involved must be carefully weighed. Ultimately, it will be up to the Mariners' front office to decide whether the potential benefits of pursuing Ohtani outweigh the risks. A rotation fronted by two legitimate aces in Luis Castillo and Ohtani could do some serious damage.